Frank is still waiting to go on his Christmas leave and his thoughts are clearly with those at home as he patiently waits.

11/1/40

881937 Gnr. Faulkner
157th HAA Regt. RA
53rd HAA Battery RA
B.E.F.


Dear Dad,

Many thanks for yours of 27th Dec. which I did not get until about 8th Jan. - after letters sent from home since that date!

No books appear to have arrived yet. At any rate nothing has been said about them and in any case I should probably see them when sorting the post. Were there many?

I received the "Clay Thomas" card on the 7th. It was a jolly good idea and I certainly appreciated the kind thoughts of those who signed it.

Well, I shall not be home for the Lodge meeting of the 13th but will have to be patient. I do not, I should not be allowed to tell you but it seems fairly certain that you will get a wire from me (if I have the time) to say I've arrived in the next 2/3 weeks. Unexpected compassionate leave upsets the roster. Everyone who goes "out of their turn" puts me back one place.

Oh, I must thank you for the £1 note. Besides that I have a 10/- note which I think you sent me but I'm hoping to keep them intact until I get home.

I've got such a lot I want to do when I get leave. I want to go to a dance, see Louise, see Uncle Frank, Auntie Hilda and a lot of others too. I shall have to see the G.E.C. people as a matter of policy. We shall see!

I hope Jack Sharman will be able to come to the meeting on 13th. He sent me a long letter about 3 weeks ago which I've been unable to answer.

I received a letter from Edie with the Summons and thank her very much. She seems to expect me "at any moment" but she will have to patient, I'm afraid.

I had a letter from Connie some time ago but have not had a chance to answer it. Perhaps Ernie will let Frank know that she is not forgotten. I hope their baby is going on alright.

The weather is most changeable here. The day before yesterday it turned terribly "muggy" after a week of severe weather. Now it is just as cold with all the snow gone - thank goodness. I made use of Auntie Nellie's balaclava helmet for the first time the other night when travelling in an open lorry to a concert and the pull-over Louise knitted for me a long time ago was brought into commission during the cold spell.

The concert was not very great and I did not appreciate a 3rd rate concert party very much after a long cold journey. The latter part of their performance, however, was much better and after an 18 franc dinner in the town afterwards I almost enjoyed the journey back.

I may be going to see "Aladdin" tonight or tomorrow. Things are looking up!

Lunch is ready so cheerioh, and I hope you are feeling much better now. As regards the suggestion of sending £1 per month I must talk it over with you later. Many thanks for the offer.

Hope Anne and Edie and Ernie are keeping well. Give Anne xxxxxxx for me.

Fondest love,

Frank